FOOTBALL: EHS backfield filled with potential

Tigers return three backs to the offense

Edwardsville running back Dionte Rodgers, left, runs behind his offensive line during first-quarter action against CBC on Friday.

Edwardsville running back Dionte Rodgers, left, runs behind his offensive line during first-quarter action against CBC on Friday.

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Edwardsville running back Dionte Rodgers, left, runs behind his offensive line during first-quarter action against CBC on Friday.

Edwardsville running back Dionte Rodgers, left, runs behind his offensive line during first-quarter action against CBC on Friday.

FOOTBALL: EHS backfield filled with potential

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EDWARDSVILLE -- Half of Edwardsville’s 250 rushing yards per game average came from its three primary running backs last season.

All three are back.

Seniors Antonio Thigpen Jr. and Dionte Rodgers and sophomore Justin Johnson will return to the Edwardsville backfield after helping the Tigers to a 9-4 record and appearance in the Class 8A semifinals last season.

All three will look to help carry the load this season.

“Competition brings out the best in the most of us,” EHS coach Matt Martin said. “it is human nature to rest on your laurels a little bit, but when you create competition it makes you compete.”

Last year, Johnson emerged as the feature back late in the season after injuries to Rodgers and Thigpen. As a freshman, Johnson finished with 734 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

In a 45-14 win at Belleville West in Week 8, Johnson rushed for 111 yards on 19 carries. He was the first freshman back at EHS since at least before 1992 to eclipse the 100-yard mark.

A bruising, physical back, Johnson is now listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds. He was 176 pounds on last year’s roster.

Thigpen Jr. led all EHS backs with 14 touchdowns. The 5-foot-6, 165-pound speedster also rushed for 542 yards.

Four of Thigpen Jr.’s touchdowns came in a 52-7 win over Granite City in Week 2. He also rushed for a season-high 168 yards.

The emergences of Johnson and Thigpen Jr. were needed for an Edwardsville offense that was without Rodgers, who battled a shoulder injury early in the season and later an ankle problem.

Rodgers finished the season with 353 rushing yards and four touchdowns, well off the numbers he had as a sophomore when he ran for 1,570 yards and a program-record 27 touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard rushing games and two five-touchdown performances that season.

Rodgers, listed at 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, is back and healthy for his final season.

“I’m really excited for this season,” Rodgers said. “I feel 100 percent healthy. Last year was tough, but I am ready to bounce back.”

After playing in the first two games, including a 165-yard, three-touchdown performance against Naperville North, Rodgers missed four straight games with a shoulder injury.

Rodgers returned briefly in Week 8 against Belleville West, before he returned to the sideline with an ankle injury. He did play in the postseason but not at 100 percent.

Now, Rodgers will look to show teams what he can do at full health.

“Last year was a bummer, but I am going to show what I can do this year,” Rodgers said. “I am going to put it all out on the table.”

The potential of the Edwardsville offense isn’t limited to the three running back.

The Tigers are the only Class 8A team to return an All-State quarterback, as senior signal caller Kendall Abdur-Rahman leads the offense for a second straight season.

Abdur-Rahman finished his junior season with 1,399 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns. His 26 touchdowns was one shy of the program’s single-season mark set by Rodgers.

The Edwardsville offense average 37.77 points last season, including seven games with at least 40 points. The Tigers scored a District 7 Sports Complex-high 70 points in the win over Collinsville.

With top wide receiver Lavontas Hairston back and incoming Triad transfer Chase Moore, who is listed at 6-foot-3, Rodgers believes the offense can be even better this season.

“It’s really explosive. We can really spread out the defenses with our running and passing games,” Rodgers said.

Martin believes the offensive line will be ready to go once the season opener rolls around at home against McCluer North on Aug. 24.

“I think we have some steady program kids that have put work in during the offseason and have good intentions,” Martin said.

Regardless of who plays on the offensive line, the Edwardsville coaching staff knows there is plenty of talent in the backfield.

“Justin, Dionte and Antonio have all done a great job. They have a great maturity level and they have worked hard all summer. Coach Bryan Young has done a great job with those guys,” Martin said. “I’ve been impressed with them and they’ve done a great job so far.”